A remarkable novel about secrets, desire, memory, passion, and possibility.Newlywed Grace Monroe doesn’t fit anyone’s expectations of a successful 1950s London socialite, least of all her own. When she receives an unexpected inheritance from a complete stranger, Madame Eva d’Orsey, Grace is drawn to uncover the identity of her mysterious benefactor.Weaving through the decades, from 1920s New York … from 1920s New York to Monte Carlo, Paris, and London, the story Grace uncovers is that of an extraordinary women who inspired one of Paris’s greatest perfumers. Immortalized in three evocative perfumes, Eva d’Orsey’s history will transform Grace’s life forever, forcing her to choose between the woman she is expected to be and the person she really is.
The Perfume Collector explores the complex and obsessive love between muse and artist, and the tremendous power of memory and scent.
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The plot goes back from the 1950’s to the 1920/30/40’s to unravel the mystery of why a young housewife has inherited a fortune from an unknown French woman. The effect of WWI and WWII is seen in both generations, as well as the occupation of France. The perfumes added an extra level of enjoyment!
This story took hold of me immediately and I was hooked. It tells the tale of Grace Munroe whose life is changed by an inheritance from a complete stranger. Grace travels from London to Paris to handle the details of this inheritance but cannot stop until she understands why she was chosen by her benefactor. The story weaves between Grace’s life …
The Perfume Collector – Don’t Miss This One
An exceptionally intelligent mystery with a fascinating cast of characters that makes turning each page a pure delight.
Start with Eva D’Orsey, a penniless 14 year old with a savant’s ability to remember numbers. Lucky enough to land a job as a maid at William Randolph Hearst’s posh New York hotel, Eva …
This was a very interesting perspective building story. It’s been quite a while since I’ve read it now, but it left an especially strong mark on my memory. Powerful understanding of human complexity and personal passions.
“The Perfume Collector” was definitely a wonderful book! I enjoyed reading and figuring out why Grace inherited an inheritance from someone she didn’t even know…actually, to be more specific, at one time she really did know this person she inherited an inheritance from.
Beautufully written. Takes you from the late 1920s too late 1950s . Impossible to put down. A must read
Really enjoyed it — the characters were realistic, the plot interesting as well as informative, and just a very good read.
Interesting story and characters.
I enjoyed the story. I liked the characters and the way the tale is unraveled.
Beautiful writing and vivid characters. The story is intriguing and well developed. Interesting until the very end. Wonderful book
Just a beautiful story set in Paris.
A fabulous novel — magical and mysterious.
A great book about a very interesting story.
Great historical fiction. One of my top ten favorite books of all time. Extremely interesting insights on the early perfume industry.
Great read, you arm chair travel to a different time in Paris & can smell the rare fragrance.
A good story about believing in yourself & going after it.
If it was a movie it would be dubbed “ a chic flick”, maybe true to an extent, but a VERY STRONG chick, not a pushy or bitchy chick. And certainly not about making it to the top of the corporate ladder.
I read this a few years ago – it was a good historical fiction book.
Grace Monroe is 28-years-old, a socialite who runs with titled set in 1950s England, and utterly uninspired by it all. Her life is turned on its head when she learns she has inherited a considerable fortune from a Parisian named Eva d’Orsey whose name she has never heard, and whose connection she cannot fathom.
Rather than simply sign on the …
I loved going through the journey and seeing another strong woman rise up.
Really liked this book. Learned a lot about perfume. Was drawn in by the characters and their interactions. Knew the end, but the way to it had some interesting twists and turns that give it 5 stars. Very good story !